Please help me choose between these itineraries/ships.

Itinerary A: Eurodam; Cozumel and Cayman Islands

Itinerary B: Nieuw Amsterdam; Grand Turk and Amber Cove

Both also go to Key West and Half Moon Cay

The price for both is the same. Which would you prefer, and why?

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Not impressed with GT right now. still recovering

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Easily A. Unless you love going to the beach or paying to go snorkeling, Grand Turk isn't that exciting (my personal opinion). Amber Cove doesn't do anything for me. We feel like it's an "artificial" destination -- just built for the cruise ships to stop at.

Cozumel and Caymans are "real", to us.

Again, just my opinion.

I would go with A. We are not impressed with Carnival made island stops.

Depends on what you like to do. Itinerary B if you like the beach & spending time in the water; A if you like to do more of the tourist thing. They are sister ships although the NA is newer. In either case enjoy your cruise.

Allan

Yes it depends what you like to do for sure. Personally I will hide in my room all day rather than even glimpse the joke that is Cozumel. About as authentic as Taco Bell in Detroit. (sorry Detroit, sorry Taco Bell)

If you are just looking for Sun, beach, fun, low hassle then B would be my choice. If you are looking for an authentic Caribbean adventure then you are probably 70 or 80 years too late.

I vote with the majority for Option A. I've sailed both ships and the differences are so negligible that it shouldn't factor into your decision.

A. Not a fan of the Carnival manufactured ports.

I'd do A for its diversity BUT, before I'd book it I'd check out cruisetimetables.com to see how many other ships would be in port with me One HAL voyage I recently looked at had 7 other ships scheduled to be with us in Cozumel and 2 of the 7 were mega-ships. Crossed that one of my list.

Thanks for the feedback thus far. I'll be honest, I'm most excited to visit Key West and Half Moon- I have never been to either. Anything else would be icing on the cake. I know the ships are nearly identical, but would NA have any advantage having just come out of dry dock?

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You couldn't pay me to go back to Amber Cove. The only positive there was the cute Amber turtle charm I bought. We missed Grand Turk as only one ship could be in port at the time. Not sure when you are looking but I believe Eurodam will be in dry dock early spring.

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Looking Jan-Feb

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Then you would be cruising prior to the Eurodam dry dock and just after the Nieuw Amsterdam one. I am not sure if there are major changes planned or just sprucing.

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"A" gets our vote! :)

We just got off the Eurodam and didn’t think it looked worn down, etc.

Looking Jan-Feb

 

 

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Grand Turk is in Southeast Bahamas area - not in the Caribbean - and there is a chance of chilly weather , Amber Cove is a phony port.

Given time of year, as well as ports, Cozumel and Cayman wins hands down

I don't remember - isn't Cayman Islands a tender port, that might also influence a visit.

I just checked it out - it IS a tender port. Something to take into account, if it matters.

I don't remember - isn't Cayman Islands a tender port, that might also influence a visit.

 

I just checked it out - it IS a tender port. Something to take into account, if it matters.

Been to all places. Do not care for Amber Cove.

Thanks for the reminder. I don't think tendering makes much difference to me.

Tendering went very quickly at GCayman last week when we were there. Didn't use ship tenders but very big local ones. Not impressed with the port but if you haven't done a stingray experience, that's the #1 thing there. Love Half Moon Cay even if it is "artificial". We have found lots to do in Cozemel....if you haven't gone to the Mayan ruins they are amazing. My "to do" list still has the cave tubing at the ecopark on it. Where is Amber Cove? Not familiar with that one.

We did snuba on Grand Turk and saw nothing; same with snorkeling at Key West but there are other things to do in Key West.

Guess that's a vote for A with Cozemel included.

Itinerary A: Eurodam; Cozumel and Cayman Islands

 

 

 

Itinerary B: Nieuw Amsterdam; Grand Turk and Amber Cove

 

 

 

Both also go to Key West and Half Moon Cay

 

 

 

The price for both is the same. Which would you prefer, and why?

IMO, not much to see or do in any of those ports.

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Amber Cove is on Dominican Republic.

If one has earlier departures from the ports of call, I'd opt for that one, as I generally don't do excursions or take much interest in ports (Caribbean, anyway). I enjoy an early evening at sea, while a late-evening departure is just something to grin-and-bear-it.

I love all the replies, thank you very much.

One question, if I may. If two itineraries are identical, but one sailing shares its Half Moon day with another ship, is that enough to persuade you to the other sailing? Just wondering how big of a deal this is.